Carlo Carli congratulates Brunswick rockers

Thirty nine projects across the state were funded across three categories, including five projects based in the Brunswick electorate.

My Friend the Chocolate Cake (http://www.mftcc.com) is the recipient of a $18,000 Music Touring grant for their 2008 UK/European Tour including an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival.

The Australian Music Collective (http://www.australianmusiccollective.com) is the recipient of a $15,000 Music Industry Strategic Partnership grant which will be used to hold international live music showcases for Australian musicians in March 2008 in Los Angeles, Austin (Texas), San Fransisco, Chicago, New York and London. The people behind the Australian Music Collective are Glenn Dickie (EMI Music Australia, promotions manager and A&R, Triple R FM announcer), Mary Mihelakos (former editor of Beat Magazine and now booker at The Spanish Club a premier venue in Melbourne Australia) and Johanna Greenway (Big Day Out)

The Push Incorporated (http://www.thepush.org.au) is the recipient of a $9,800 Music Industry Strategic Partnership grant. The Push is now in its 15th year of operation providing opportunities for young people to access affordable, alcohol free events and to have the option to participate in the life of the local community. The grant will be used to present “The Push Artists Summit 2008”, which is a series of artist development workshops to be held across Victoria in mid 2008. These are provided free of charge to participants and will provide multiple workshop topics as well as an open networking environment.

Simone Lang and Gus Macmillan are recipients of Music Career Building grants. Simone will use her $1,000 grant to help Afo and Afo Eelctro to create a demo recording of their fusion of electro sound and traditional West African drumming to help develop media and touring opportunities.

Gus Macmillan and the Devil Goat Family String Band (http://www.myspace.com/devilgoatfamilystringband) will use the $3,500 grant to help record their second CD album.

Victoria Rocks is a new program that provides funding to support the creative growth and viability of the Victorian music industry.

Victoria Rocks encompasses all genres of contemporary music and is open to artists at various career stages.

Victoria Rocks aims to:

• Equip Victorian musicians to face the challenges of a rapidly changing era in the music industry.
• Encourage artists to explore new initiatives and strategies to connect their music with audiences.
• Support industry bodies that provide education and professional development to Victorian artists.